Cybercriminals use 3D printing to skim ATMs

3D printing has promise in the healthcare, automotive, manufacturing and retail industry -- but criminals have also tapped into the technology's potential.

In Sydney, NSW, a Romanian group of alleged cybercriminals have been using 3D-printing technology and CAD files to design and manufacture sophisticated ATM skimming devices to steal citizen funds.

The city's police force recently arrested and charged one of the group with fraud. In total, 15 ATMs have been targeted, and approximately $100,000 has been stolen.

After seeing an increase in the number of 3D-printed skimming devices being detected, the NSW Police established a "dedicated taskforce" in June to address the issue.

Commander of the new NSW Fraud and Cybercrime Squad, Detective Superintendent Col Dyson, told iTnews that two types of skimming device have been found -- one of which being entirely self-contained and equipped with a tiny camera to record PIN numbers.

"These devices are actually manufactured for specific models of ATMs so they fit better and can't be detected as easily," he said. "Parts of the devices are internally fitted, either by the offenders moving part of the slot and replacing it with their own, and pushing circuitry into the machines. One is so small it's entirely self-contained and entirely pushed in, with some force, into the card slot. They're getting smaller and smaller with time."

Once the device has recorded the card and PIN numbers, a blank card can be etched with the details to withdraw money and make purchases. The 3D-printed variants have never been seen before in Sydney.